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In India, table tennis action on the Asian circuit can be seen
on ESPN Star Sports. Volkswagen will be the title sponsor of four
pro tour events to come in Asia this year and all pro tour events
in the Asia Pacific region next year.. The first event included
in the agreement will be the Volkswagen Korea Open which takes place
from 4-7 September 2003.
The pro tour grand finals in 2003 and 2004 will also carry the
name of Volkswagen - as well as the Volkswagen World Individual
Table Tennis Championships in Shanghai, China in May 2005. At the
Volkswagen Pro Tour Grand Finals the winners of the Menıs and the
Womenıs Singles will be able to drive back home. On top of the prize
money (men's singles $38.000 and women's singles $26.000 ) the winners
can take home a VW Beetle Convertible.
As a part of the agreement, Volkswagen has the right to be the
official car at the above mentioned ITTF events. ITTF president
Adham Sharara said, "Obviously we are extremely happy with this
agreement. During the last years we have tried to make changes and
improvements in order to make table tennis more attractive for spectators,
television - and sponsors. This agreement tells us that we are on
the right track.
"We are proud to work with Volkswagen and we will do everything
possible to give Volkswagen value for money. With the position of
our sport in Asia, both concerning spectators and TV coverage, I
feel confident that we will succeed"
Volkswagen AG will also be the title sponsor of the Volkswagen
German Open and the sponsor of the German National Team. However,
the main target for Volkswagen is the Asian region, especially China,
and to that end the Chinese interest in table tennis is seen as
the perfect weapon.
China's national television network CCTV has bought the rights
to broadcast live from all pro tour events.
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